Guest post by NH State Rep Jane Cormier: To Fund or Not to Fund - Granite Grok

Guest post by NH State Rep Jane Cormier: To Fund or Not to Fund

Note: emphasis by ME (not Jane).

The Belknap County Delegation has been working to put together a fair and equitable budget for our citizens.  Unfortunately, there have been those who seek to demonize the conservative majority for their desire to prepare a fair and fiscally conservative budget.  The hysterical hyperbole from Rep. Ruth Gulick and Rep. Dennis Fields has been at times most unprofessional.  In addition, a goodly portion of the desired information requested by the delegation (from the Administrator and Commissioners) has not always been delivered in a timely or complete manner. It cannot be denied, the Belknap Convention budget process has been almost painful in the extreme.

There was discussion at the Feb. 24 Delegation meeting about the current trajectory of spending being quite unsustainable.  One citizen at the public hearing rightly pointed out,  ‘If overspending continues, workers could find themselves without jobs!’  Money will eventually run out if this trajectory does not change.  Some members of the delegation have issues with discussions about ‘taking the taxpayer into account‘.  But, it is important to note, taxpayers pay not only 100% salaries and benefits of the public sector, they frequently do so with the inability to fund these type of benefits for themselves.  We should never ignore this fact. And while public workers do indeed pay taxes as well, one should be empathetic towards the taxpayer who may not be able to fund their own insurance, but are expected to subsidize others’ health insurance.  This issue, though most contentious, will need to be addressed in the near future.  No matter where you may stand on this issue, the money will soon run out. And honest compromise will be the linchpin to finding a solution to possible dissolution!

The recent headline on the Feb. 25  Laconia Daily Sun says the County Convention “…grabs grant oversight.”  I personally feel this is a rather deceptive headline, but to speak to this, the majority of the delegation thought it prudent to put into place:  “A policy that all grants be both appropriated and expended through the delegation voted budget per RSA 24:14.”  This POLICY does not allow grants to bypass the county budget process.  Common sense tell us, Belknap County should accept grants through the proper budgetary channels. This is hardly “…grabbing grant oversight”.  This article also states that I personally believe grants have “mandated outcomes”.  I do NOT believe ALL grants contain mandated outcomes.  However, SOME grants DO certainly contain mandated outcomes.  It would be a shame for Belknap County to find themselves in this Catch 22 of federal “mandated outcomes” as other counties have.  I highly recommend viewing this video.  The video features Rob Estorino, Westchester County Executive, discussing what recently occurred in a dispute with HUD in Westchester County, NY.  It demonstrates why this grant policy for Belknap County is so crucial.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Any citizen interested in our delegation meetings can visit Lakes Region Public Access (www.lrpa.org) and observe these meetings for yourselves. I especially recommend viewing the Feb. 11, 2014 delegation meeting.  This meeting gives the taxpayers the opportunity to analyze how the Commissioners, Administration, and Delegation members conduct themselves in public meetings.  For those who expect professionalism from their public servants, this invaluable video public record will show clearly and concisely what you need to know.  It is always important to get the facts for yourselves whenever possible.  LRPA gives you the opportunity to do this.  And I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank LRPA for the service they offer to our communities in doing so.

Rep. Jane Cormier
Belknap District 8

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